Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, who washed out of the 2012 GOP presidential primary then ran as a Libertarian, capturing 1 percent of the vote in the general election, said Wednesday he’ll try again.
Mr. Johnson made the announcement on Fox Business Network’s “Coast to Coast” program, and then issued a statement saying voters should be fed up with both major parties and ready to turn to an alternative that promises to cut the size of government, curtail federal drug enforcement and take a less adventurous role in international affairs.
“I am convinced that Americans are ready to send Washington, DC, a message, to reject the status quo and break up the political duopoly that can’t even come up with a real budget and that is fundamentally incapable of change,” he said. “What is missing is a belief that there is an alternative, a belief that the rigged game can, indeed, be broken up.”
Mr. Johnson served two terms as governor of New Mexico and had hoped to make a splash in the GOP in 2012, running on a slogan of “When Cary Johnson Goes to Washington, Everybody Goes.” But he found then-Rep. Ron Paul sitting on many of the same libertarian-minded positions during that race.
Running as a Libertarian in the general election, Mr. Johnson appeared on ballots in almost every state and earned nearly 1.3 million votes, notching what he said was the best performance ever for that party’s nominee.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
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